Spoiler alert: Blind Banker
No beta, searching for one. Mistakes will be made, my apologies.
Chapter 7 in which our Sherlock is a bit out of balance and trying to be polite
Sherlock stood in the back while John expressed his anger and tried to get DI Dimmock's attention. He was upset and frustrated because Soon Yi died on their watch. Sherlock reacted to his failure differently. He withdrew mapping his moves searching where did he make the wrong turn. It was hard to take Soon Yi's death, it was just so unnecessary. But there is nothing he can do about it and John's anger did not reach young DI, it just made him clench his jaw refusing to take responsibility, so Sherlock got moving again explaining things to DI in simple and direct way he could comprehend.
"Can you prove it?" detective got to the point, the only thing that mattered to police.
"I need to get some air, we'll be going out tonight," he said to John when he entered not willing to disclose what might be another dead end.
"Actually I've got a date" answered John with a smile.
"What?" Sherlock was more than a little surprised, John hadn't gone anywhere, and he was with Sherlock all the time and up all night.
"It's when two people who like each other go out and have some fun" he explained calmly like Sherlock doesn't know the definition of the word.
"That's what I was suggesting" Sherlock was confused that John hadn't understood `let's go out` like let's go together and have some fun.
"No it's not, at least I hope it's not" and Sherlock got a clue, work, she/it issue, prefers women, not open to men.
"Where are you taking her?" he wasn't interested at all but he wasn't going to that date thing get it the way of their case. He got almost strangled, shot at and he got a message, this case was dangerous and he needed back up; especially if he's right and they are walking into smugglers nest. He went that far in getting John there that he called and reserved tickets in front of John knowing that he couldn't ignore that, and his doubt in his dating skills helped Sherlock's cause. When he was gone Sherlock called and changed the reservation in three. He hoped that woman won't be too much of a trouble, and the bonus was he would get the chance to asses her, see if she will cause a disturbance.
"What's so important?" Sherlock had to ask because he was lost not understanding the whole change in John's behaviour. He was controlled and calm, even his agitation with Sherlock was dimmed down and covered with a low voice, and more importantly, he was completely uninterested in the case in which he was engaged as much as Sherlock.
"I'm trying to get off with Sarah" John raised his voice and Sherlock turned away disappointed that he was consumed with such basic and clearly not happening thing.
Sherlock ignored all that and covered John's back while assessing possible dangers and angles, it was too much of them. John kept arguing with him ignoring his detached date. When the music began Sherlock gave John `I told you so` look although he wasn't sure it will be an interesting show. That wasn't the point. Sarah jumped startled and grabbed John by the arm, testing the water, but she didn't give in, she let go fast enough. Deciding that John is safe out here Sherlock slid back to check the area, now is the chance with everyone at the stage. He felt safe enough with the spider on the ropes. But again he was ambushed yet again with a sword. He was right he needed back up. When he was thrown to the floor dazed John rushed to help him just to be battled himself and then surprisingly that Sarah woman came to their aid and struck down the attacker and her repressed anger came in handy, she took the attacker down with steady, calm and forceful hits.
When Dimmock asked them one thing they still didn't know, what was stolen, Sherlock turned his face towards John and he did what he is good at and what just pains Sherlock to do. He said `we don't know`.
When Sherlock decipher the code he ran back for John so they can get moving but he stood still in his tracks when he took in the state of the room, abandoned trays and clean plates and the cypher on the windows. He was terrified, John was missing, but he didn't dwell on the feeling he kept moving knowing every second count. It was harder to stand the suspense in the cab just sitting still while the clock is ticking and John is stranded out there.
He got there just to hear John shout `I'm not Sherlock Holmes` angry and loud. It was like John to stay scrappy in a hostage situation.
"Sherlock Holmes is nothing at all like him," he said loudly while his voice echoed the tunnel.
"How would you describe me John" he hid himself letting his voice and echoes distract attackers. "Resourceful, dynamic, enigmatic," he thought of straightforward, steady and candid John.
They managed to survive, all three of them.
It was a victory but Sherlock knew the battle is forever going, there was no end to the war.